Functional Skills

Why are Functional Skills critical to the success of Apprenticeships?

The Government are keen to see standards of literacy and numeracy rise in the UK. Functional Skills training has been developed by Crosby Management Training (CMT) to assist you in passing your End Point Assessment (EPA). You’ll need to either hold the relevant qualifications in both English and mathematics or undertake qualifications in Functional Skills during your apprenticeship. CMT have a dedicated team with an outstanding track record who can guide you through this process.

What are the requirements?

For Level 2 Apprenticeships:

You would need to pass the Level 1 Functional Skills qualifications if you achieved less than a grade E/3 at GCSE level (or equivalent) or are unable to provide evidence of prior learning. You would need to attempt the Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications if you achieved less than a grade C/4 at GCSE level (or equivalent) or are unable to provide evidence of prior learning.

For Level 3 (or above) Apprenticeships:

You would need to pass the Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications if you achieved less than a grade C/4 at GCSE level (or equivalent) or are unable to provide evidence of prior learning.

Are there any exemptions?

To be exempt from Functional Skills, you will need to provide either your original certificates or a verified statement of results. Unfortunately, no other forms of evidence can be accepted by the End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO).

If you know that you achieved the required grades but can no longer locate your certificates, you will need to contact the Awarding Organisation(s) (AO) and request that they send you a statement of results.

NB: AOs do not issue replacement certificates. The cost of these vary but, at the time of writing fees are approximately £45 per statement. If you’re unsure of which Awarding Organisation(s) you achieved your qualifications with, you will need to speak with your school as they should have a record of who they were registered with when you sat your exam.

What’s involved in our Functional Skills Training and Assessment?

If you are required to revisit Maths and English for any reason, our Functional Skills trainers work with you to rediscover your skills so that you can achieve these mandatory qualifications. The team have a wealth of subject knowledge built over a decade of experience delivering Functional Skills, with many additional years teaching in other areas. In addition, we have a fantastic, interactive e-learning platform and the ability to deliver remotely to provide a flexible service to support apprentices in busy roles. To comply with the requirements of the Department of Education, your Functional Skills exams will take place at CMT’s training facility in the University of Wolverhampton’s Science Park Technology Centre.

Take a brief look at our Functional Skills English!

The English qualification is made up of three assessments: reading, writing and speaking and listening.

You need to pass all three to achieve the overall qualification.

Training and support will be provided in advance of the assessments. There will be two workshop and assessment days to attend. These days will include final preparations for the exams and then the exams themselves. One revision day will cover the reading paper and speaking and listening assessment. The other day will be dedicated to the writing paper.

Here’s Functional Skills Mathematics!

The mathematics qualification is made up of two assessments, taken in one sitting. There is a shorter non-calculator paper and a longer calculator paper. You need to pass both to achieve the overall qualification.

Much like the English, work on the mathematics will be done in advance of a workshop and assessment day where you will receive the final support session before attempting both papers.

Workshop and assessment days

These will be scheduled in with you in advance so that you can liaise with your Line Manager to ensure that you are able to attend. These workshops will take place throughout the year so that you have the option to attend at the most convenient time for you and your employer.

If you have any further questions about our Functional Skills training, or your particular needs or requirements, please contact Craig McNaughton at craig@crosbytraining.co.uk